Dead to Sin, Alive to God Through Christ

Romans 6:5-11 (NLT)

⁵ Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. ⁶ We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. ⁷ For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. ⁸ And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. ⁹ We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. ¹⁰ When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. ¹¹ So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Message

I. United with Christ in death and resurrection (5, 8)

Let me repeat the 1^st paragraph from the message last week on Romans 6:1-4:

Paul compared and contrasted Adam and Christ in Romans 5:12–21. We know Adam’s fall resulted in sin and death entering the world and affecting everyone. It is difficult to fully understand, but we see its reality. Adam, as the first man, represented humanity.

When you read this, you can understand why Paul says, ‘we have been united with him in his death’ (5^a). The first man (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47), Adam put everyone under the power of sin and death, as though we were united with him. Likewise, the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), Jesus brought a right relationship with God and new life for everyone (Romans 5:18-19, See I. Adam’s Sin and Christ’s Righteousness (18-19) in the message Where Sin Increased, Grace Ruled).

In the light of the above facts or reasoning, we can understand today’s passage.

Just as we are united with Christ in His death (5^a), we will also be raised to life as he was (5^b).

Verse 8 repeats verse 5.

Since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him (8). This repeats verse 5.

II. Freed from the power of sin (6-7)

Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives (6^a). We are no longer slaves to sin (6^b). When we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin (7).

We understand why Paul says, “crucified with Christ” (6) and “died with Christ” (7). This is just as we were represented by Adam in his disobedience.

III. Freed from the power of death (9)

Now Paul focuses on ‘resurrection’ and ‘life’. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him (9).

IV. Dead to Sin, Alive to God (10-11)

When Christ died, he died once to break the power of sin (10^a). But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God (10^b). So we also should consider ourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus (11).

Amen.